Sleep is the ultimate stress reliever. Hence, it is important for you to get at least eight hours of sleep according to a majority of experts.
While sleep duration is extremely important, sleep position is essential as well. The best sleep position is your left side and here are reasons you should endeavour to sleep that way.
- Aids digestion
The stomach usually sits on the left side of the body. Since this is the case, sleeping on the left allows waste products to freely pass through the intestines to the colon. Lying on the right side makes the digestive process a bit more difficult.
- Relieves back pain
One of the worst sleep positions is sleeping on your backside. This can lead to serious back pain. Also, note that sleeping on your stomach results in pressure building up in your back. Sleeping on your left side is your sure bet to prevent back pain.
- Good for pregnant women
Doctors strongly advise that pregnant women should always sleep on their left side because it helps prevents back pain, relieve pressure from the uterus and liver and ease the distribution of blood to the foetus and other parts of the body.
- Combats snoring
For perennial ‘snorers’, you can also try sleeping on your left side to fight or combat those sometimes disturbing and annoying snores. This position opens your airways by keeping your tongue and throat muscles in a neutral position.
- Enhances brain performance
According to research, sleeping on the left side helps the brain remove waste from the body thus preventing diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
